Synchronized Phased Array and Infrared Detector System for Moisture Detection

ABSTRACT

A method and system for detecting moisture in a composite sandwich panel for an aerospace vehicle. A pulse of an electromagnetic radiation beam is beam steered to the composite sandwich panel. The pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number of wavelengths that is absorbed by water molecules. The timing of the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam is synchronized to heat the composite sandwich panel with a time window in an infrared detector system to detect an amount of infrared radiation. The amount of infrared radiation in the composite sandwich panel is detected within the time window for the infrared detector system when the composite sandwich panel is heated by the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam, wherein the amount of infrared radiation indicates a level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to the following U.S. patent applicationSer. No. _____, attorney docket number 17-1600-US-NP, entitled “MoistureDetection System,” filed even date herewith, and incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION 1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to aircraft and, in particular,to detecting moisture in porous materials in aircraft. Still moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a method, apparatus, andsystem for detecting moisture in panels in aircraft.

2. Background

Aircraft are being designed and manufactured with greater and greaterpercentages of composite materials. Composite materials are used inaircraft to decrease the weight of the aircraft. This decreased weightimproves performance features such as payload capacities and fuelefficiencies. Further, composite materials provide a longer service lifefor various components in an aircraft.

For example, composite parts such as composite panels are used inaircraft for walls, closets, galleys, and other structures or monumentsin aircraft such as commercial airplanes. These composite panels may becomposite sandwich panels that are comprised of a core between two facesheets. The core may be a honeycomb core, a foam core, or some othersuitable type of core. Further, in some cases, a decorative laminate maybe placed on a face sheet or may be used as the face sheet. In thismanner, the composite sandwich panel may have logos, color, or designsfor a particular airline.

One problem with these composite sandwich panels and other structuresthat have porous materials is moisture. Moisture in a composite sandwichpanel can cause bubbling. Bubbling is aesthetically undesirableespecially when the bubbling occurs in locations visible to passengers,such as in the passenger cabin within a commercial airplane.

This occurrence in a structure in the passenger cabin is a problem thatcan disrupt the delivery of a commercial airplanes when bubbling isdiscovered. Further, the discovery of bubbling in composite sandwichpanels during production of a commercial airplane may result in delays.Reworking composite sandwich panels with bubbling increases the time andexpense for producing an airplane. Disruption in the production line mayoccur.

Further, moisture within a composite sandwich panel may not immediatelymanifest itself in the form of bubbling. When bubbling is discovered,rework may be performed.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a method and apparatus thattake into account at least some of the issues discussed above, as wellas other possible issues. For example, it would be desirable to have amethod and apparatus that overcome a limitation with detecting moisturein porous structures such as composite sandwich panels.

SUMMARY

An example of the present disclosure provides a moisture detectionsystem. The moisture detection system is comprised of a phased array, aninfrared detector system, and a controller in communication with thephased array and the infrared detector. The phased array is configuredto emit a pulse of an electromagnetic radiation beam. The pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam has a number of wavelengths that isabsorbed by water molecules. The infrared detector system is configuredto detect an amount of infrared radiation. The amount of infraredradiation indicates a level of moisture in a composite sandwich panelfor an aerospace vehicle. The controller is configured to control thephased array to beam steer the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam emitted by the phased array to the composite sandwich panel. Thecontroller is also configured to synchronize timing of the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam to heat the composite sandwich panel witha time window used by the infrared detector system to detect the amountof infrared radiation. The controller is yet also configured to controlthe infrared detector system to detect the amount of infrared radiationin the composite sandwich panel within the time window when thecomposite sandwich panel is heated by the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method fordetecting moisture in a composite sandwich panel for an aerospacevehicle. A pulse of an electromagnetic radiation beam is beam steered tothe composite sandwich panel. The pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam has a number of wavelengths that is absorbed by water molecules.The timing of the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam issynchronized to heat the composite sandwich panel with a time window inan infrared detector system to detect an amount of infrared radiation.The amount of infrared radiation in the composite sandwich panel isdetected within the time window for the infrared detector system whenthe composite sandwich panel is heated by the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam, wherein the amount of infrared radiationindicates a level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a moisturedetection system. The moisture detection system is comprised of a phasedarray, an infrared detector system, and a controller. The phased arrayis configured to emit a pulse of an electromagnetic radiation beam. Thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number of wavelengthsthat is absorbed by water molecules. The infrared detector system isconfigured to detect an amount of infrared radiation. The amount ofinfrared radiation indicates a level of moisture in a porous material.The controller is configured to control the phased array to beam steerthe pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam to an area on the porousmaterial. The controller is also configured to synchronize timing of thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam to heat the porous materialwith a time window in the infrared detector system to detect the amountof infrared radiation. The controller is yet also configured to controlthe infrared detector system to detect the amount of infrared radiationin the area on the porous material within the time window when theporous material is heated by the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method fordetecting moisture in a porous material. A pulse of an electromagneticradiation bean is beam steered into an area on the porous material. Thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number of wavelengthsthat are absorbed by water molecules. The timing of the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam is synchronized to heat the porousmaterial in the area with a time window in an infrared detector systemto detect an amount of infrared radiation from the area. The amount ofinfrared radiation in the area on the porous material is detected withinthe time window for the infrared detector system when the area on theporous material is heated by the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam. The amount of infrared radiation indicates a level of moisture inthe porous material.

The features and functions can be achieved independently in variousexamples of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet otherexamples in which further details can be seen with reference to thefollowing description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative examplesare set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative examples,however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives andfeatures thereof, will best be understood by reference to the followingdetailed description of an illustrative example of the presentdisclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a block diagram of a moisture detectionenvironment in accordance with an illustrative example;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a block diagram of a moisture detectionenvironment in accordance with an illustrative example;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a moisture detection system in accordancewith the illustrative example;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a phased array in accordance with anillustrative example;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a timing diagram in accordance with anillustrative example;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a table of material parameters inaccordance with an illustrative example;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for detectingmoisture in a porous material in accordance with an illustrativeexample;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for detectingmoisture in a composite sandwich panel for an aerospace vehicle inaccordance with an illustrative example;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for detectingmoisture in a porous material in accordance with an illustrativeexample;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for detectingmoisture in detecting moisture in a composite sandwich panel for anaerospace vehicle in accordance with an illustrative example;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for managingactions performed with respect to a porous material in response todetecting the level moisture in accordance with an illustrative example;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a block diagram of a data processingsystem in accordance with an illustrative example;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a block diagram of an aircraftmanufacturing and service method in accordance with an illustrativeexample;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a block diagram of an aircraft in which anillustrative example may be implemented; and

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a block diagram of a product managementsystem in accordance with an illustrative example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative examples recognize and take into account one or moredifferent considerations. For example, the illustrative examplesrecognize and take into account that measuring moisture in compositesandwich structures that employ foam or honeycomb cores may be moredifficult than desired. The illustrative examples recognize and takeinto account that current techniques for moisture detection are unableto measure a level of moisture in a composite sandwich structure. Theillustrative examples recognize and take into account that currenttechniques are unable to map the level of moisture in a compositesandwich structure.

Thus, the illustrative examples provide a method, apparatus, and systemfor detecting moisture. In one illustrative example, a moisturedetection system comprises an electromagnetic radiation system, aninfrared detector system, and a controller. The electromagneticradiation system is configured to transmit electromagnetic radiation,and the infrared detector system is configured to detect an amount ofinfrared energy.

The controller is configured to control the electromagnetic radiationsystem to transmit a pulse of electromagnetic radiation into the porousmaterial, in which the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has anumber of wavelengths that is absorbed by water molecules. Thecontroller also controls the infrared detector system to detect theamount of infrared energy in the porous material in response totransmitting the electromagnetic radiation into the porous materialusing a time window that captures when the electromagnetic radiationheats the porous material such that the infrared detector system detectsan amount of the infrared energy in the porous material when the porousmaterial is heated by the pulse of electromagnetic radiation. Thecontroller identifies a level of moisture in the porous material usingan amount of energy in the electromagnetic radiation transmitted and theamount of infrared energy detected.

In another illustrative example, a moisture detection system comprises aphased array, an infrared detector system, and a controller. The phasedarray is configured to emit a pulse of an electromagnetic radiationbeam. The pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number ofwavelengths that is absorbed by water molecules. The infrared detectorsystem is configured to detect an amount of infrared energy. The amountof infrared energy indicates a level of moisture in a porous material.

The controller is configured to control the phased array by beamsteering the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam to an area onthe porous material, and synchronize timing of the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam to heat the porous material with a timewindow in the infrared detector system to detect the amount of infraredenergy. The controller is configured to control the infrared detectorsystem to detect the amount of the infrared energy in an area on theporous material in the time window when the porous material is heated bythe pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam.

With reference now to the figures, and in particular, with reference toFIG. 1, an illustration of a block diagram of a moisture detectionenvironment is depicted in accordance with an illustrative example. Inthis illustrative example, moisture detection environment 100 includesmoisture detection system 102, which operates to inspect porous material104. In this example, porous material 104 can be inspected for a levelof moisture 106. As depicted, the level of moisture 106 may indicate apresence or absence of moisture 106. When moisture 106 is present, thelevel of moisture 106 can also indicate how much moisture 106 isdetected.

In this illustrative example, porous material 104 is a material havingspaces, holes, or other types of channels or voids through which aliquid or gas can pass. For example, porous material 104 can be an opencell foam or honeycomb structure. In another example, porous material104 may be a closed cell foam in which some cells are not closed andallows a gas or liquid to pass.

In the illustrative example, porous material 104 takes the form ofcomposite sandwich panel 108. Composite sandwich panel 108 comprises acore located between a first face sheet and a second face sheet. Thecore may take a number of different forms. For example, the core can beselected from at least one of a foam core, an open cell foam core, aclosed cell foam core, a honeycomb core, or some other suitable type ofcore.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list ofitems, means different combinations of one or more of the listed itemsmay be used, and only one of each item in the list may be needed. Inother words, “at least one of” means any combination of items and numberof items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the listare required. The item may be a particular object, a thing, or acategory.

For example, without limitation, “at least one of item A, item B, oritem C” may include item A, item A and item B, or item B. This examplealso may include item A, item B, and item C or item B and item C. Ofcourse, any combinations of these items may be present. In someillustrative examples, “at least one of” may be, for example, withoutlimitation, two of item A; one of item B; and ten of item C; four ofitem B and seven of item C; or other suitable combinations.

As depicted, the type of core within composite sandwich panel 108 can bedifferent in different parts of composite sandwich panel 108. Forexample, a portion of composite sandwich panel 108 may be a honeycombcore in one area of composite sandwich panel 108 and a foam core inanother area of composite sandwich panel 108. In one illustrativeexample, composite sandwich panel 108 is for use in an aerospace vehicleselected from one of an airplane, an aircraft, a commercial airplane, arotorcraft, a spacecraft, a commercial spacecraft, a space plane, orsome other type of aerospace vehicle.

In this illustrative example, moisture detection system 102 is comprisedof a number of different components. As depicted, moisture detectionsystem 102 includes electromagnetic radiation system 110, infrareddetector system 112, and controller 114.

Electromagnetic radiation system 110 transmits pulse of electromagneticradiation 116. In this illustrative example, pulse of electromagneticradiation 116 has a number of frequencies 118 selected from about 300MHz to about 300 GHz.

As used herein, “a number of,” when used in reference to items means oneor more items. For example, “a number of frequencies 118” is one or moreof frequencies 118. In this example, pulse of electromagnetic radiation116 takes the form of pulse of microwaves. Pulse of electromagneticradiation 116 is the transmission of electromagnetic radiation for aperiod of time in contrast to transmitting electromagnetic radiationcontinuously while operating moisture detection system 102.

In this illustrative example, infrared detector system 112 is configuredto detect an amount of infrared radiation 122. As depicted, infraredradiation 122 has a longer wavelength than those of visible light. Inthis illustrative example, infrared radiation 122 is generated whenpulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 encounters water molecules 124 inmoisture 106.

Infrared detector system 112 includes a number of different types ofdetectors. For example, infrared detector system 112 may include atleast one of an infrared sensor, a thermal sensor, a photodetector, athermographic camera, an infrared camera, a thermal imaging camera, orsome other suitable type of detector.

In this illustrative example, controller 114 is in communication withelectromagnetic radiation system 110 and infrared detector system 112.Controller 114 is configured to control electromagnetic radiation system110 to transmit pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 into compositesandwich panel 108. Pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 has a numberof wavelengths 126 such that pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 isabsorbed water molecules 124 in moisture 106 in composite sandwich panel108.

As depicted, controller 114 is configured to select the number offrequencies 118 for pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 based ondesired depth 132 at which pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116penetrates composite sandwich panel 108. The level of penetrationaffects the depth at which heating within composite sandwich panel 108occurs.

Further, controller 114 can be configured to control electromagneticradiation system 110 to transmit pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116through lens antenna 140 to form electromagnetic radiation beam 142directed at composite sandwich panel 108 such that composite sandwichpanel 108 is heated above the ambient temperature for composite sandwichpanel 108.

Controller 114 also controls infrared detector system 112 to detect anamount of infrared radiation 122 generated in response to transmittingpulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 into composite sandwich panel 108using time window 128. As depicted, time window 128 is selected todetect the amount of infrared radiation 122 when pulse ofelectromagnetic radiation 116 heats composite sandwich panel 108 suchthat infrared detector system 112 detects an amount of infraredradiation 122 in composite sandwich panel 108 when composite sandwichpanel 108 is heated by pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116. Theamount of infrared radiation 122 indicates a level of moisture 106 incomposite sandwich panel 108.

In this illustrative example, time window 128 is selected to detect theamount of infrared radiation 122 in response to pulse of electromagneticradiation 116 heating composite sandwich panel 108 such that asensitivity of infrared detector system 112 is increased. This increasecan occur by selecting width of time window 128 such that time window128 encompasses all of pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116.

Controller 114 can be configured to control infrared detector system 112to detect an amount of background infrared radiation 130 prior toelectromagnetic radiation system 110 transmitting pulse ofelectromagnetic radiation 116. The amount of background infraredradiation 130 is the amount of infrared radiation 122 that is presentwithout pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 being directed intocomposite sandwich panel 108. Background infrared radiation 130 can besubtracted from the amount of infrared radiation 122 detected todetermine infrared radiation 122 resulting from applying pulse ofelectromagnetic radiation 116 to composite sandwich panel 108.

Background infrared radiation 130 can be measured as an ambienttemperature for composite sandwich panel 108. This ambient temperaturemay vary depending on the environment in which composite sandwich panel108 is located. For example, composite sandwich panel 108 may be locatedinside the hangar, within an aircraft, or some other suitable location.Depending on the size of composite sandwich panel 108, a portion of thepanel may be located inside of a building while another portion may belocated outside of the building.

As depicted, controller 114 is configured to determine the level ofmoisture 106 in composite sandwich panel 108. In this example, the levelof moisture 106 is determined using the amount of infrared radiation 122detected and energy 120 for pulse of electromagnetic radiation 116 sentinto composite sandwich panel 108.

Controller 114 is configured to generate visualization 134 of infraredradiation 122 for composite sandwich panel 108 using the amount ofinfrared radiation 122 detected by infrared detector system 112 withintime window 128. Visualization 134 can be selected from at least one ofa thermal map, a thermal image, or some other visualization of infraredradiation 122 for composite sandwich panel 108. Visualization 134 allowsa user or other person to see where moisture 106 may be located withincomposite sandwich panel 108.

One or more solutions are present that overcome a problem with detectingmoisture in porous materials. As a result, one or more technicalsolutions may provide a technical effect of determining a level ofmoisture 106 rather than merely detecting whether moisture 106 ispresent.

As a result, computer system 144 in this illustrative example operatesas a special purpose computer system in which controller 114 in computersystem 144 enables detecting a level of moisture 106 in porous material104. In particular, controller 114 transforms computer system 144 into aspecial purpose computer system as compared to currently availablegeneral computer systems that do not have controller 114.

With reference to FIG. 2, another illustration of a block diagram of amoisture detection environment is depicted in accordance with anillustrative example. In this illustrative example, moisture detectionenvironment 200 includes moisture detection system 202 configured toinspect porous material 204 for moisture 206. Moisture detection system202 can be utilized to inspect porous material 204 for a level ofmoisture 206. As depicted, porous material 204 takes the form ofcomposite sandwich panel 208.

In this illustrative example, moisture detection system 202 is comprisedof a number of different components. As depicted, moisture detectionsystem 202 includes phased array 210, infrared detector system 212, andcontroller 214.

As depicted, phased array 210 is an electronically scanned array andanother manner in which a beam can be formed in addition to or in placeof using a lens antenna. Phased array 210 transmits electromagneticradiation beam 216 as pulse 218. In this illustrative example, phasedarray 210 can be an array of antennas controlled to createelectromagnetic radiation beam 216, which may be radio frequency wavesthat can be electronically steered in different directions withoutphysically moving the antennas in phased array 210.

In this illustrative example, pulse 218 of electromagnetic radiationbeam 216 has a number of frequencies 220 selected from about 300 MHz toabout 300 GHz. As depicted, controller 214 can select the number offrequencies 220 for pulse 218 of electromagnetic radiation beam 216based on desired depth 232 at which pulse 218 of electromagneticradiation beam 216 penetrates composite sandwich panel 208.

As depicted, infrared detector system 212 is configured to detect anamount of infrared radiation 222. Infrared detector system 212 may beimplemented in a similar fashion to infrared detector system 112 in FIG.1.

Controller 214 is in communication with phased array 210 and infrareddetector system 212. Controller 214 is located in computer system 215.As depicted, controller 214 is configured to control phased array 210 tobeam steer pulse 218 of electromagnetic radiation beam 216 transmittedfrom phased array 210 to composite sandwich panel 208. Controller 214 isalso configured to synchronize timing 226 of pulse 218 ofelectromagnetic radiation beam 224 to heat composite sandwich panel 208with time window 228 used by infrared detector system 212 to detect theamount of infrared radiation 222. Synchronizing timing 226 of pulse 218also may include the scanning or movement of pulse 218 in addition tothe duration of pulse 218 in these illustrative examples.

The synchronization increases the sensitivity in images of infraredradiation 222. For example, controller 214 is configured to controlinfrared detector system 212 to detect the amount of infrared radiation222 in composite sandwich panel 208 within time window 228 whencomposite sandwich panel 208 is heated by pulse 218 of electromagneticradiation beam 216.

In steering pulse 218 of electromagnetic radiation beam 216, controller214 controls phased array 210 to beam steer pulse 218 to cover area 230on composite sandwich panel 208. Controller 214 controls infrareddetector system 212 to detect the amount of infrared radiation 222radiating from area 230 within time window 228 when pulse 218 ofelectromagnetic radiation beam 216 heats area 230 on composite sandwichpanel 208. In the illustrative example, time window 228 is selected todetect the amount of infrared radiation 222 in response to pulse 218 ofelectromagnetic radiation beam 216 heating composite sandwich panel 208such that a sensitivity of infrared detector system 212 is increased.

With the use of phased array 210, the accuracy in determining area 230increases as compared to using other types of radiation emissionsystems. With phased array 210, beam steering may be performed in amanner in which the location of the beam is more accurately known. As aresult, determining energy 234 applied to area 230 is more accurate.

In this illustrative example, controller 214 is configured to determinethe level of moisture 206 in composite sandwich panel 208 using theamount of infrared radiation 222 detected in area 230 and energy 234 inpulse 218 of electromagnetic radiation beam 216 sent into area 230 oncomposite sandwich panel 208.

Controller 214 can be configured to control infrared detector system 212to detect an amount of background infrared radiation 236 prior to phasedarray 210 transmitting pulse 218 of electromagnetic radiation beam 216.The amount of background infrared radiation 236 is the amount ofinfrared radiation 222 that is present without pulse 218 ofelectromagnetic radiation beam 216 being directed into compositesandwich panel 208. Background infrared radiation 236 can be subtractedfrom the amount of infrared radiation 222 detected to determine infraredradiation 222 resulting from applying pulse 218 of electromagneticradiation beam 216 to composite sandwich panel 208.

Additionally, controller 214 is configured to generate visualization 238of the amount of infrared radiation 222 detected in composite sandwichpanel 208. In this illustrative example, visualization 238 may beselected from at least one of a thermal image, a thermal map, or someother type of visualization. In the illustrative example, controller 214is configured to generate a map of moisture 106 within compositesandwich panel 108 using visualization 238, such as a thermal map or athermal image.

One or more solutions are present that overcome a problem with detectingmoisture in porous structures such as composite sandwich panels. As aresult, one or more technical solutions may provide an ability to detectmoisture in a porous material including a composite sandwich panel. Thecontroller controls the operation of an electromagnetic radiation systemand an infrared detector system to detect a level of moisture in an areausing a time window. The selection of the time window can increase thesensitivity of the infrared detector system.

As a result, computer system 215 in this illustrative example operatesas a special purpose computer system in which controller 214 in computersystem 215 enables controlling the operation of an electromagneticradiation system and an infrared detector system to detect a level ofmoisture in an area using a time window. In particular, controller 114transforms computer system 215 into a special purpose computer system,as compared to currently available general computer systems that do nothave controller 214.

Controller 114 in FIG. 1 and controller 214 in FIG. 2, may beimplemented in software, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof.When software is used, the operations performed by these controllers maybe implemented in program code configured to run on hardware, such as aprocessor unit. When firmware is used, the operations performed bycontroller 114 and controller 214 may be implemented in program code anddata and stored in persistent memory to run on a processor unit. Whenhardware is employed, the hardware may include circuits that operate toperform the operations in controller 114 and controller 214.

The hardware can take a form selected from at least one of a circuitsystem, an integrated circuit, an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or some other suitable typeof hardware configured to perform a number of operations. With aprogrammable logic device, the device can be configured to perform thenumber of operations. The device may be reconfigured at a later time ormay be permanently configured to perform the number of operations.Programmable logic devices include, for example, a programmable logicarray, a programmable array logic, a field programmable logic array, afield programmable gate array, and other suitable hardware devices.Additionally, the processes may be implemented in organic componentsintegrated with inorganic components and may be comprised entirely oforganic components excluding a human being. For example, the processesmay be implemented as circuits in organic semiconductors.

As depicted, controller 114 is located in computer system 144. In thisexample, computer system 144 is a physical hardware system and includesone or more data processing systems. When more than one data processingsystem is present, those data processing systems are in communicationwith each other using a communications medium. The communications mediummay be a network. The data processing systems may be selected from atleast one of a computer, a server computer, a tablet, or some othersuitable data processing system.

The illustration of moisture detection environment 100 in FIG. 1 andmoisture detection environment 200 in FIG. 2 is not meant to implyphysical or architectural limitations to the manner in which anillustrative example may be implemented. Other components in addition toor in place of the ones illustrated may be used. Some components may beunnecessary. Also, the blocks are presented to illustrate somefunctional components. One or more of these blocks may be combined,divided, or combined and divided into different blocks when implementedin an illustrative example.

For example, composite sandwich panel 108 can have two cores between thefirst face sheet and the second face sheet. These two cores can beseparated from each other by a layer similar to the face sheets. Asanother example, moisture detection system 102 can be used to detect alevel of moisture 106 and other types of porous material 104 other thancomposite sandwich panel 108. Other types of porous material 104 mayinclude, for example, a thermal protection system (TPS) on the exteriorof a missile, a rocket, or a space vehicle. The thermal protectionsystem is porous and can contain moisture.

Composite sandwich panel 108 and composite sandwich panel 208 can beutilized in other platforms other than an aerospace vehicle. Theplatform may be, for example, a mobile platform, a stationary platform,a land-based structure, an aquatic-based structure, and a space-basedstructure. More specifically, the platform may be a surface ship, atank, a personnel carrier, a train, a space station, a satellite, asubmarine, an automobile, a power plant, a bridge, a dam, a house, amanufacturing facility, a building, and other suitable platforms.

The power level can be selected to change the amount of heating inaddition to or in place of selecting the wavelength. In one illustrativeexample, using a selected wavelength, and increasing the amplitude, abetter representation of trapped moisture depth can be identified inporous material 104. By knowing the penetration depth from the selectedwavelength and thermal dissipation, the trapped moisture depth can bedetermined. In other words, the depth at which moisture is present inporous material 104 can be determined. Further, the illustrative examplecan be applied to materials with voids or channels in which moisture istrapped but cannot escape.

With reference to FIG. 3, an illustration of a moisture detection systemis depicted in accordance with an illustrative example. In theillustrative example, moisture detection system 300 is an example of oneimplementation for moisture detection system 102 shown in block form inFIG. 1.

As depicted, moisture detection system 300 includes radio frequencygenerator 302, magnetron 304, waveguide 306, and lens antenna 308. Thesecomponents form microwave transmitter 309 and are examples of componentsthat may be used in electromagnetic radiation system 110 shown in blockform in FIG. 1.

As depicted, radio frequency generator 302 generates a radio frequencyfor the transmission of microwave beam 310. Magnetron 304 generateselectromagnetic radiation in the form of microwaves in the socialexample. Waveguide 306 guides the microwaves generated by magnetron 304through lens antenna 308. Lens antenna 308 causes the microwaves to betransmitted in of microwave beam 310. In the illustrative example,microwave beam 310 is directed at area 312 on porous material 314.

Moisture detection system 300 also includes infrared camera 316 andinfrared camera triggering unit 318. These two components are examplesof components that may be used to implement infrared detector system 112shown in block form in FIG. 1 or infrared detector system 212 shown inblock form in FIG. 2. As depicted, infrared camera 316 is positioned todetect infrared radiation 320 from area 312 in response to heating ofporous material 314 by microwave beam 310.

As depicted, synchronization circuit 322 controls the operation of radiofrequency generator 302 and infrared camera triggering unit 318. In thismanner, synchronization circuit 322 can cause infrared camera 316 todetect infrared radiation 320 in the timing window based on whenmicrowave beam 310 heats porous material 314.

In this illustrative example, processor 324 is configured to receiveimages 326 from infrared camera 316. Based on images 326 received,processor 324 generates moisture indicator 328. Moisture indicator 328may be an indication of moisture that is present. In other illustrativeexamples, moisture indicator 328 may be a visualization such asvisualization 134 shown in block form in FIG. 1 or visualization 238shown in block form in FIG. 2.

As depicted in this example, processor 324 in moisture detection system300 controls synchronization circuit 322 to select a timing window tosynchronize the operation of transmitting microwave beam 310 with thedetection of infrared radiation by infrared camera 316. Processor 324 isan example of a component that can be used to implement controller 114shown in block form in FIG. 1 or controller 214 shown in block form inFIG. 2.

With reference next to FIG. 4, an illustration of a phased array isdepicted in accordance with an illustrative example. In the depictedexample, phased array 400 is an example of one implementation for phasedarray 210 shown in block form in FIG. 2. Phased array 400 can be used inplace of microwave transmitter 309 in FIG. 3.

In the illustrative example, phased array 400 includes transmitters 402,phase shifters 404, and antenna elements 406. Phase shifters 404 can becontrolled by a controller such as controller 114 shown in block form inFIG. 1, controller 214 shown in block form in FIG. 2, or processor 324in FIG. 3. As depicted, phase shifters 404 can be controlled to causeantenna elements 406 to emit microwave beam 408 in a direction that canbe changed electronically. In other words, microwave beam 408 iselectronically steerable. In this manner, mechanical or moving parts arenecessary to direct microwave beam 408.

The illustration of moisture detection system 300 in FIG. 3 and phasedarray in FIG. 4 are provided as examples of some implementations forcomponents in moisture detection environment 100 shown in block form inFIG. 1 and moisture detection environment 200 shown in block form inFIG. 2. These examples are not meant to limit the manner in which otherillustrative examples may be implemented. For example, although eighttransmitters are shown for transmitters 402, other numbers oftransmitters may be used. For example, 11, 27, 45, or some othersuitable number of transmitters may be used in other illustrativeexamples.

Turning next to FIG. 5, an illustration of a timing diagram is depictedin accordance with an illustrative example. Timing diagram 500 includesinfrared camera frames graph 502, pulse graph 504, image storage graph506, and steering graph 507.

Infrared camera frames graph 502 is a graph showing the timing of framesduring which infrared radiation is detected by an infrared camera. Eachframe represents a period of time during which photons are detected forgenerating an image of infrared radiation in this illustrative example.

Pulse graph 504 is a graph showing the timing of when electromagneticradiation pulse is emitted by the electromagnetic radiation system andthe duration during the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam. Thedepth at which the electromagnetic radiation pulse can be selected basedon the frequency. Increasing the frequency increases the penetration,while decreasing the frequency reduces the penetration of the pulse ofthe electromagnetic radiation beam into the porous material.

Image storage graph 506 is a graph showing the time during which theframes generated by infrared camera are stored. When data is stored, thesensors in the infrared camera are not detecting photons.

Steering graph 507 is a graph showing the steering of theelectromagnetic radiation pulse. In this example, steering signal 509shows the pulse of electromagnetic radiation being steered from about 0°to about 45° to cover an area of interest.

As depicted, two time windows are present, time window 508 and timewindow 510. In this illustrative example, time window 508 is a period oftime during which frame 512 is generated and stored. Time window 508 isused to identify background infrared radiation. This background infraredradiation may reflect the ambient temperature of the environment inwhich the porous material is located. Time window 510 is a period oftime during which frame 514 and frame 516 are detected by the infraredcamera.

Synchronization is performed such that these frames occur when pulse 518in pulse graph 504 occurs. Pulse 518 represents the pulse ofelectromagnetic radiation, such as microwaves, that are directed intothe porous material.

The timing of pulse 518 is such that frame 514 and frame 516 detect asmuch infrared radiation as possible. During time window 510, theinfrared radiation increases from when pulse 518 begins at time T1 andends at time T2. The selection of time window 510 along with thetransmission of pulse 518 within time window 510 allows for an infraredcamera to detect the maximum amount of infrared radiation caused bypulse 518, thus increasing the sensitivity of the infrared camera. Inthis manner, the sensitivity of the infrared camera may be increasedthrough the selection of time window 510 to include as much of pulse 518as possible.

Further, the length of pulse 518 and the size of time window 510 isselected to cover the time during which photons are detected by theinfrared camera prior to transferring signals from the sensors in theinfrared camera for storage as an image. As a result, continuedtransmission of microwaves does not occur while data is read from thesensors in the infrared camera.

With reference to FIG. 6, an illustration of a table of materialparameters is depicted in accordance with an illustrative example. Table600 illustrates parameters used in selecting a desired depth ofpenetration for electromagnetic radiation. In the illustrative example,entry 602 is for an example porous material, such as a core in acomposite sandwich panel. The panel has a decorative laminate that isabout 2 mm thick, a skin panel that is about 1 mm thick, and a honeycomband foam core that is about 25 mm thick.

Column 604 indicates electrical conductivity, column 606 is magneticpermeability, column 608 is frequency, and column 610 identifies depthof penetration. The depth in column 610 is calculated as follows:

$\delta \approx \frac{1}{ \sqrt{}\pi \; f\; \mu \; \sigma}$

where δ is standard depth of penetration (mm); π is 3.14; f is testfrequency (Hz); μ is magnetic permeability (H/mm); and σ is electricalconductivity (% IACS).

In this depicted example, table 600 provides a depth of penetration forthe core in this example. Generally, the depth of penetration increasesas the frequency increases. All of the properties of the porous materialbeing inspected can be taken into account in determining the depth ofpenetration. For example, when the porous material is a compositesandwich core, the decorative laminate, the panel skin, as well as thehoneycomb and foam core may also be taken into account to obtain a moreaccurate depth of penetration.

Turning next to FIG. 7, an illustration of a flowchart of a process fordetecting moisture in a porous material is depicted in accordance withan illustrative example. The process illustrated in FIG. 7 can beimplemented in moisture detection system 102 shown in block form inFIG. 1. This process may be implemented in at least one of hardware orsoftware. When software in the form of program code is used, the programcode can be run by a processor unit to perform the different operations.

The process begins by transmitting electromagnetic radiation into aporous material (operation 700). The electromagnetic radiation beam inoperation 700 has a number of wavelengths that is absorbed by watermolecules. In this example, selecting the number of frequencies for theelectromagnetic radiation is based on a desired depth at which a pulseof electromagnetic radiation penetrates the composite sandwich panel.

The process detects an amount of infrared radiation in the porousmaterial of a panel in response to transmitting the electromagneticradiation into a composite sandwich panel using a time window selectedto detect the amount of infrared radiation when the electromagneticradiation heats the porous material (operation 702). The processidentifies a level of moisture in the porous material using an amount ofenergy in the electromagnetic radiation transmitted and the amount ofinfrared radiation detected (operation 704). The process terminatedthereafter.

With reference next to FIG. 8, an illustration of a flowchart of aprocess for detecting moisture in a composite sandwich panel for anaerospace vehicle is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeexample. This process may be implemented in at least one of hardware orsoftware. When software in the form of program code is used, the programcode can be run by a processor unit to perform the different operationsin the process.

The process begins by transmitting a pulse of electromagnetic radiationinto a composite sandwich panel such that the composite sandwich panelis heated above an ambient temperature (operation 800). The processdetects an amount of infrared radiation generated in the compositesandwich panel in response to transmitting the pulse of electromagneticradiation into the composite sandwich panel using a time window selectedto detect the amount of infrared radiation when the pulse ofelectromagnetic radiation heats the composite sandwich panel (operation802). The amount of infrared radiation detected indicates an amount ofmoisture in the composite sandwich panel.

The process determines the level of moisture in the composite sandwichpanel using the amount of infrared radiation detected and the energy inthe pulse of electromagnetic radiation sent into the composite sandwichpanel (operation 804). The process then generates a visualization of thelevel of moisture (operation 806). The process terminates thereafter.

The visualization may be selected from at least one of a thermal image,a thermal map, or some other representation. This visualization may beused to identify locations where moisture is present. Further, thevisualization may indicate the depth at which the moisture is present inthose locations.

Based on the level of moisture detected, an action can be performed withrespect to the composite sandwich panel. This action can be selectedfrom reworking or replacing the composite sandwich panel. The reworkingmay include, for example, sending additional electromagnetic radiationinto the composite sandwich panel in an effort to reduce the moisture inthe composite sandwich panel. Other moisture reduction techniques alsomay be used. Thermal or infrared heating may be employed.

Turning next to FIG. 9, an illustration of a flowchart of a process fordetecting moisture in a porous material is depicted in accordance withan illustrative example. The process illustrated in FIG. 9 can beimplemented in moisture detection system 202 shown in block form in FIG.2. This process may be implemented in at least one of hardware orsoftware. When software in the form of program code is used, the programcode can be run by a processor unit to perform the different operations.

The process beings by beam steering a pulse of an electromagneticradiation beam in an area on a porous material (operation 900). The beamsteering moves the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam acrossthe area to cover the area. The pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam has a number of wavelengths that are absorbed by water molecules.

The process synchronizes the timing of the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam to heat the porous material in the area with a timewindow in an infrared detector system to detect an amount of infraredradiation from the area (operation 902). The process detects the amountof infrared radiation in area on the porous material within the timewindow for the infrared detector system when the area on the porousmaterial is heated by the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam(operation 904). The process terminates thereafter. The amount ofinfrared radiation indicates a level of moisture in the porous material.

With reference to FIG. 10, an illustration of a flowchart of a processfor detecting moisture in a composite sandwich panel for an aerospacevehicle is depicted in accordance with an illustrative example. Theprocess illustrated in FIG. 10 can be implemented in moisture detectionsystem 202 shown in block form in FIG. 2. This process may beimplemented in at least one of hardware or software. When software inthe form of program code is used, the program code can be run by aprocessor unit to perform the different operations. The process beginsby selecting an area on a composite sandwich panel (operation 1000).This area can be some of or all of the composite sandwich panel. Theprocess selects a number of frequencies for a pulse of anelectromagnetic radiation beam based on a desired depth at which thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation penetrates the composite sandwichpanel (operation 1002). The pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beamhas a number of wavelengths that is absorbed by water molecules.

The process beam steers the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beamto the area on the composite sandwich panel (operation 1004). Thesteering can be performed such that the entire area is covered during apulse or multiple pulses may be used to cover the area. The processsynchronizes timing of the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beamto heat the composite sandwich panel with a time window in the infrareddetector system to detect an amount of infrared radiation (operation1006).

The process detects the amount of infrared radiation in the compositesandwich panel in the area within the time window for the infrareddetector system when the composite sandwich panel is heated by the pulseof the electromagnetic radiation beam (operation 1008). The amount ofinfrared radiation indicates a level of moisture in the compositesandwich panel.

The process determines the level of moisture in the area on thecomposite sandwich panel using the amount of infrared radiation detectedin the area and energy in the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam sent into the area on the composite sandwich panel (operation1010).

A determination is made as to whether another area is present forinspection on the composite sandwich panel (operation 1012). If anotherarea is present, the process returns to operation 1000. Otherwise, theprocess generates a visualization of the moisture (operation 1014). Theprocess terminates thereafter.

The visualization can be a thermal image or a map of the infraredradiation for the porous material using the energy in the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam and the amount of infrared radiationdetected by the infrared detector system in the area within the timewindow.

With reference to FIG. 11, an illustration of a flowchart of a processfor managing actions performed with respect to a porous material inresponse to detecting a level of moisture is depicted in accordance withan illustrative example. The process illustrated in FIG. 10 can beimplemented in moisture detection system 202 shown in block form in FIG.2. This process may be implemented in at least one of hardware orsoftware. When software in the form of program code is used, the programcode can be run by a processor unit to perform the different operations.

The process begins by receiving a number of thermal images for a porousmaterial (operation 1100). In this illustrative example, the number ofthermal images may be for one or more areas of interest in the porousmaterial. The process determines a level of moisture using the number ofthermal images (operation 1102).

The process determines whether the porous material should be reworked orreplaced using a map (operation 1104). If the porous material should bereplaced, the process generates a message to replace the porous material(operation 1106). The process terminates thereafter.

With reference again to operation 1104, if a determination is made thatthe porous material should be reworked, the process identifies theextent of rework needed (operation 1108). This extent can be graphicallyidentified on the map or with other instructions.

Further, the extent of rework also may identify the operations thatshould be performed to rework the porous material. This rework caninclude heating or other actions. For example, the rework may includeremoving a skin panel or decorative laminate from a composite sandwichpanel, heating the composite sandwich panel, and then replacing the skinpanel or decorative.

The process then generates a message identifying the extent of rework tobe performed (operation 1110). The process terminates thereafter.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted examplesillustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of somepossible implementations of apparatuses and methods in an illustrativeexample. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagramsmay represent at least one of a module, a segment, a function, or aportion of an operation or step. For example, one or more of the blocksmay be implemented as program code, hardware, or a combination of theprogram code and hardware. When implemented in hardware, the hardwaremay, for example, take the form of integrated circuits that aremanufactured or configured to perform one or more operations in theflowcharts or block diagrams. When implemented as a combination ofprogram code and hardware, the implementation may take the form offirmware. Each block in the flowcharts or the block diagrams may beimplemented using special purpose hardware systems that perform thedifferent operations or combinations of special purpose hardware andprogram code run by the special purpose hardware.

In some alternative implementations of an illustrative example, thefunction or functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the ordernoted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown insuccession may be performed substantially concurrently, or the blocksmay sometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition tothe illustrated blocks in a flowchart or block diagram.

Turning now to FIG. 12, an illustration of a block diagram of a dataprocessing system is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeexample. Data processing system 1200 may be used to implement computersystem 144 shown in block form in FIG. 1 and computer system 215 shownin block form in FIG. 2. In this illustrative example, data processingsystem 1200 includes communications framework 1202, which providescommunications between processor unit 1204, memory 1206, persistentstorage 1208, communications unit 1210, input/output (I/O) unit 1212,and display 1214. In this example, communications framework 1202 maytake the form of a bus system.

Processor unit 1204 serves to execute instructions for software that maybe loaded into memory 1206. Processor unit 1204 may be a number ofprocessors, a multi-processor core, or some other type of processor,depending on the particular implementation.

Memory 1206 and persistent storage 1208 are examples of storage devices1216. A storage device is any piece of hardware that is capable ofstoring information, such as, for example, without limitation, at leastone of data, program code in functional form, or other suitableinformation either on a temporary basis, a permanent basis, or both on atemporary basis and a permanent basis. Storage devices 1216 may also bereferred to as computer-readable storage devices in these illustrativeexamples. Memory 1206, in these examples, may be, for example, arandom-access memory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatilestorage device. Persistent storage 1208 may take various forms,depending on the particular implementation.

For example, persistent storage 1208 may contain one or more componentsor devices. For example, persistent storage 1208 may be a hard drive, asolid state hard drive, a flash memory, a rewritable optical disk, arewritable magnetic tape, or some combination of the above. The mediaused by persistent storage 1208 also may be removable. For example, aremovable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 1208.

Communications unit 1210, in these illustrative examples, provides forcommunications with other data processing systems or devices. In theseillustrative examples, communications unit 1210 is a network interfacecard.

Input/output unit 1212 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to data processing system 1200. Forexample, input/output unit 1212 may provide a connection for user inputthrough at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, or some other suitableinput device. Further, input/output unit 1212 may send output to aprinter. Display 1214 provides a mechanism to display information to auser.

Instructions for at least one of the operating system, applications, orprograms may be located in storage devices 1216, which are incommunication with processor unit 1204 through communications framework1202. The processes of the different examples may be performed byprocessor unit 1204 using computer-implemented instructions, which maybe located in a memory, such as memory 1206.

These instructions are referred to as program code, computer usableprogram code, or computer-readable program code that may be read andexecuted by a processor in processor unit 1204. The program code in thedifferent examples may be embodied on different physical orcomputer-readable storage media, such as memory 1206 or persistentstorage 1208.

Program code 1218 is located in a functional form on computer-readablemedia 1220 that is selectively removable and may be loaded onto ortransferred to data processing system 1200 for execution by processorunit 1204. Program code 1218 and computer-readable media 1220 formcomputer program product 1222 in these illustrative examples. In oneexample, computer-readable media 1220 may be computer-readable storagemedia 1224 or computer-readable signal media 1226.

In these illustrative examples, computer- readable storage media 1224 isa physical or tangible storage device used to store program code 1218rather than a medium that propagates or transmits program code 1218.

Alternatively, program code 1218 may be transferred to data processingsystem 1200 using computer-readable signal media 1226. Computer-readablesignal media 1226 may be, for example, a propagated data signalcontaining program code 1218. For example, computer-readable signalmedia 1226 may be at least one of an electromagnetic signal, an opticalsignal, or any other suitable type of signal. These signals may betransmitted over at least one of communications links, such as wirelesscommunications links, optical fiber cable, coaxial cable, a wire, or anyother suitable type of communications link.

The different components illustrated for data processing system 1200 arenot meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent examples may be implemented. The different illustrativeexamples may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents in addition to or in place of those illustrated for dataprocessing system 1200. Other components shown in FIG. 12 can be variedfrom the illustrative examples shown. The different examples may beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of runningprogram code 1218.

Illustrative examples of the disclosure may be described in the contextof aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300 as shown in FIG. 13and aircraft 1400 as shown in FIG. 14. Turning first to FIG. 13, anillustration of a block diagram of an aircraft manufacturing and servicemethod is depicted in accordance with an illustrative example. Duringpre-production, aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300 mayinclude specification and design 1302 of aircraft 1400 in FIG. 14 andmaterial procurement 1304.

During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 1306 andsystem integration 1308 of aircraft 1400 takes place. Thereafter,aircraft 1400 may go through certification and delivery 1310 in order tobe placed in service 1312. While in service 1312 by a customer, aircraft1400 is scheduled for routine maintenance and service 1314, which mayinclude modification, reconfiguration, refurbishment, and othermaintenance or service.

Each of the processes of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party,an operator, or some combination thereof. In these examples, theoperator may be a customer. For the purposes of this description, asystem integrator may include, without limitation, any number ofaircraft manufacturers and major-system subcontractors; a third partymay include, without limitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors,and suppliers; and an operator may be an airline, a leasing company, amilitary entity, a service organization, and so on.

With reference now to FIG. 14, an illustration of a block diagram of anaircraft is depicted in which an illustrative example may beimplemented. In this example, aircraft 1400 is produced by aircraftmanufacturing and service method 1300 in FIG. 13 and may includeairframe 1402 with plurality of systems 1404 and interior 1406. Examplesof systems 1404 include one or more of propulsion system 1408,electrical system 1410, hydraulic system 1412, and environmental system1414. Any number of other systems may be included. Although an aerospaceexample is shown, different illustrative examples may be applied toother industries, such as the automotive industry.

Apparatuses and methods embodied herein may be employed during at leastone of the stages of aircraft manufacturing and service method 1300 inFIG. 13.

In one illustrative example, components or subassemblies produced incomponent and subassembly manufacturing 1306 in FIG. 13 may befabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components orsubassemblies produced while aircraft 1400 is in service 1312 in FIG.13. Moisture detection system 102 shown in block form in FIG. 1 andmoisture detection system 202 shown in block form in FIG. 2 may beutilized to inspect porous materials for components or subassembliesproduced during component and subassembly manufacturing 1306 or whileaircraft is in service 1312.

As yet another example, one or more apparatus examples, method examples,or a combination thereof may be utilized during production stages, suchas component and subassembly manufacturing 1306 and system integration1308 in FIG. 13. Moisture detection system 102 in FIG. 1 and moisturedetection system 202 in FIG. 2 may be utilized to inspect porousmaterials for components or subassemblies during component andsubassembly manufacturing 1306, system integration 1308, andcertification and delivery 1310. These inspections may be performedprior to delivery of aircraft 1400 to a customer. In other illustrativeexamples, these inspections may be performed during maintenance andservice 1314.

One or more apparatus examples, method examples, or a combinationthereof may be utilized while aircraft 1400 is in service 1312, duringmaintenance and service 1314 in FIG. 13, or both. The use of a number ofthe different illustrative examples may substantially expedite theassembly of aircraft 1400, reduce the cost of aircraft 1400, or bothexpedite the assembly of aircraft 1400 and reduce the cost of aircraft1400.

Turning now to FIG. 15, an illustration of a block diagram of a productmanagement system is depicted in accordance with an illustrativeexample. Product management system 1500 is a physical hardware system.In this illustrative example, product management system 1500 may includeat least one of manufacturing system 1502 or maintenance system 1504.

Manufacturing system 1502 is configured to manufacture products, such asaircraft 1400 in FIG. 14. As depicted, manufacturing system 1502includes manufacturing equipment 1506. Manufacturing equipment 1506includes at least one of fabrication equipment 1508 or assemblyequipment 1510. Manufacturing equipment 1506 also may include moisturedetection system 102 in FIG. 1 and moisture detection system 202 in FIG.2 for use in inspecting components manufactured by manufacturingequipment 1506.

Fabrication equipment 1508 is equipment that may be used to fabricatecomponents for parts used to form aircraft 1400. For example,fabrication equipment 1508 may include machines and tools. Thesemachines and tools may be at least one of a drill, a hydraulic press, afurnace, a mold, a composite tape laying machine, a vacuum system, alathe, or other suitable types of equipment. Fabrication equipment 1508may be used to fabricate at least one of metal parts, composite parts,semiconductors, circuits, fasteners, ribs, skin panels, spars, antennas,or other suitable types of parts.

Assembly equipment 1510 is equipment used to assemble parts to formaircraft 1400. In particular, assembly equipment 1510 may be used toassemble components and parts to form aircraft 1400. Assembly equipment1510 also may include machines and tools. These machines and tools maybe at least one of a robotic arm, a crawler, a faster installationsystem, a rail-based drilling system, or a robot. Assembly equipment1510 may be used to assemble parts such as seats, horizontalstabilizers, wings, engines, engine housings, landing gear systems, andother parts for aircraft 1400.

In this illustrative example, maintenance system 1504 includesmaintenance equipment 1512. Maintenance equipment 1512 may include anyequipment needed to perform maintenance on aircraft 1400. Maintenanceequipment 1512 may include tools for performing different operations onparts on aircraft 1400. These operations may include at least one ofdisassembling parts, refurbishing parts, inspecting parts, reworkingparts, manufacturing replacement parts, or other operations forperforming maintenance on aircraft 1400. These operations may be forroutine maintenance, inspections, upgrades, refurbishment, or othertypes of maintenance operations.

In the illustrative example, maintenance equipment 1512 may includeultrasonic inspection devices, x-ray imaging systems, vision systems,drills, crawlers, and other suitable device. For example, maintenanceequipment 1512 also may include moisture detection system 102 shown inblock form in FIG. 1 and moisture detection system 202 shown in blockform in FIG. 2 for use in inspecting porous materials such as acomposite sandwich panel or other types of suitable components. In somecases, maintenance equipment 1512 may include fabrication equipment1508, assembly equipment 1510, or both to produce and assemble partsthat may be needed for maintenance.

Product management system 1500 also includes control system 1514.Control system 1514 is a hardware system and may also include softwareor other types of components. Control system 1514 is configured tocontrol the operation of at least one of manufacturing system 1502 ormaintenance system 1504. In particular, control system 1514 may controlthe operation of at least one of fabrication equipment 1508, assemblyequipment 1510, or maintenance equipment 1512.

The hardware in control system 1514 may be using hardware that mayinclude computers, circuits, networks, and other types of equipment. Thecontrol may take the form of direct control of manufacturing equipment1506. For example, robots, computer-controlled machines, and otherequipment may be controlled by control system 1514. In otherillustrative examples, control system 1514 may manage operationsperformed by human operators 1516 in manufacturing or performingmaintenance on aircraft 1400 in FIG. 14. For example, control system1514 may assign tasks, provide instructions, display models, or performother operations to manage operations performed by human operators 1516.In these illustrative examples, may be implemented in control system1514 to manage at least one of the manufacturing or maintenance ofaircraft 1400.

For example, management may include inspections performed using moisturedetection system 102 shown in block form in FIG. 1 and moisturedetection system 202 shown in block form in FIG. 2. Based on the levelof moisture detected, control system 1514 may perform actions such asinitiating rework, replacement, or other actions with respect to theinspected components. Further, the moisture detection system maygenerate a map of moisture from the infrared radiation detected within astructure such as a composite sandwich panel. The amount of infraredradiation in a thermal image correlates to the amount of moisturepresent in the structure.

This map may be used to determine whether rework or replacement of acomponent should occur. Further, when rework occurs, the map may also beused to determine whether rework should be performed. This determinationmay be turned into instructions that are used to control other equipmentor sent to human operator 1516.

In the different illustrative examples, human operators 1516 may operateor interact with at least one of manufacturing equipment 1506,maintenance equipment 1512, or control system 1514. This interaction maybe performed to manufacture aircraft 1400.

Of course, product management system 1500 may be configured to manageother products other than aircraft 1400. Although product managementsystem 1500 has been described with respect to manufacturing in theaerospace industry, product management system 1500 may be configured tomanage products for other industries. For example, product managementsystem 1500 can be configured to manufacture products for the automotiveindustry as well as any other suitable industries.

The description of the different illustrative examples has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the examples in the formdisclosed. The different illustrative examples describe components thatperform actions or operations. In an illustrative example, a componentmay be configured to perform the action or operation described. Forexample, the component may have a configuration or design for astructure that provides the component an ability to perform the actionor operation that is described in the illustrative examples as beingperformed by the component.

Thus, the illustrative examples provide one or more solutions thatovercome a problem with detecting moisture in porous structures such ascomposite sandwich panels. One or more solutions may provide an abilityto detect moisture in a porous material including a composite sandwichpanel. A controller controls the operation of an electromagneticradiation system and an infrared detector system to detect a level ofmoisture using a time window. The selection of the time window canincrease the sensitivity of the infrared detector system.

Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art. Further, different illustrative examples may providedifferent features as compared to other desirable examples. The exampleor examples selected are chosen and described in order to best explainthe principles of the examples, the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure forvarious examples with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A moisture detection system comprising: a phasedarray configured to emit a pulse of an electromagnetic radiation beam,wherein the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number ofwavelengths that is absorbed by water molecules; an infrared detectorsystem configured to detect an amount of infrared radiation; and acontroller in communication with the phased array and the infrareddetector system, wherein the controller is configured to control thephased array to beam steer the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam emitted by the phased array; synchronize timing of the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam with a time window used by the infrareddetector system to detect the amount of infrared radiation; and controlthe infrared detector system to detect the amount of infrared radiationwithin the time window.
 2. The moisture detection system of claim 1,wherein the amount of infrared radiation indicates a level of moisturein a composite sandwich panel for an aerospace vehicle and wherein thecontroller is configured to control the phased array to beam steer thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam emitted by the phased arrayto the composite sandwich panel; synchronize timing of the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam to heat the composite sandwich panel withthe time window used by the infrared detector system to detect theamount of infrared radiation; and control the infrared detector systemto detect the amount of infrared radiation in the composite sandwichpanel within the time window when the composite sandwich panel is heatedby the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam.
 3. The moisturedetection system of claim 2, wherein the controller controls the phasedarray to beam steer the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam toan area on the composite sandwich panel and controls the infrareddetector system to detect the amount of infrared radiation from an areawithin the time window when the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam heats the area on the composite sandwich panel.
 4. The moisturedetection system of claim 2, wherein the controller selects a number offrequencies for the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam based ona desired depth at which the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beampenetrates the composite sandwich panel.
 5. The moisture detectionsystem of claim 3, wherein the controller is configured to determine alevel of moisture in the composite sandwich panel using the amount ofinfrared radiation detected in the area and energy in the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam sent into the area on the compositesandwich panel.
 6. The moisture detection system of claim 2, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the infrared detector system todetect an amount of background infrared radiation prior to anelectromagnetic radiation system transmitting the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam.
 7. The moisture detection system ofclaim 2, wherein the controller is configured to generate a thermalimage of the amount of infrared radiation for the composite sandwichpanel using energy in the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beamand the amount of infrared radiation detected by the infrared detectorsystem within the time window.
 8. The moisture detection system of claim2, wherein the controller is configured to generate a map of moisturewithin the composite sandwich panel using a thermal image.
 9. Themoisture detection system of claim 2, wherein the time window isselected to detect the amount of infrared radiation in response to thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam heating the compositesandwich panel such that a sensitivity of the infrared detector systemis increased.
 10. The moisture detection system of claim 1, wherein thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number of frequenciesselected from about 300 MHz to about 300 GHz.
 11. The moisture detectionsystem of claim 2, wherein the composite sandwich panel comprises afirst face sheet, a second face sheet, and a core located between thefirst face sheet and the second face sheet, wherein the core is selectedfrom at least one of a foam core, an open cell foam core, a closed cellfoam core, or a honeycomb core.
 12. The moisture detection system ofclaim 2, wherein the composite sandwich panel for the aerospace vehicleis selected from one of an airplane, an aircraft, a commercial airplane,a rotorcraft, a spacecraft, a commercial spacecraft, and a space plane.13. A method for detecting moisture in a composite sandwich panel for anaerospace vehicle, the method comprising: beam steering a pulse of anelectromagnetic radiation beam to the composite sandwich panel, whereinthe pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number ofwavelengths that is absorbed by water molecules; synchronizing timing ofthe pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam to heat the compositesandwich panel with a time window in an infrared detector system todetect an amount of infrared radiation; and detecting the amount ofinfrared radiation in the composite sandwich panel within the timewindow for the infrared detector system when the composite sandwichpanel is heated by the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam,wherein the amount of infrared radiation indicates a level of moisturein the composite sandwich panel.
 14. The method of claim 13, whereinbeam steering the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam to thecomposite sandwich panel comprises: beam steering the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam to an area on the composite sandwichpanel; and detecting the amount of infrared radiation in the compositesandwich panel within the time window for the infrared detector systemwhen the area on the composite sandwich panel is heated by the pulse ofthe electromagnetic radiation beam.
 15. The method of claim 14 furthercomprising: determining the level of moisture in the composite sandwichpanel using the amount of infrared radiation detected in the area andenergy in the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam sent into thearea on the composite sandwich panel.
 16. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising: selecting a number of frequencies for the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam based on a desired depth at which thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam penetrates the compositesandwich panel.
 17. The method of claim 13 further comprising: detectingan amount of background infrared radiation prior to an electromagneticradiation system transmitting the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam.
 18. The method of claim 13 further comprising: generating athermal image of the amount of infrared radiation for the compositesandwich panel using energy in the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam and the amount of infrared radiation detected by theinfrared detector system within the time window.
 19. The method of claim18 further comprising: generating a map of the moisture within thecomposite sandwich panel using the thermal image.
 20. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the time window is selected to detect the amount ofinfrared radiation in response to the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam heating the composite sandwich panel such that asensitivity of the infrared detector system is increased.
 21. The methodof claim 13, wherein the composite sandwich panel comprises a first facesheet, a second face sheet, and a core located between the first facesheet and the second face sheet, wherein the core is selected from atleast one of a foam core, an open cell foam core, a closed cell foamcore, or a honeycomb core.
 22. The method of claim 13, wherein theaerospace vehicle is selected from one of an airplane, an aircraft, acommercial airplane, a rotorcraft, a spacecraft, a commercialspacecraft, and a space plane.
 23. A moisture detection systemcomprising: a phased array configured to emit a pulse of anelectromagnetic radiation beam, wherein the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam has a number of wavelengths that is absorbed by watermolecules; an infrared detector system configured to detect an amount ofinfrared radiation, wherein the amount of infrared radiation indicates alevel of moisture in a porous material; and a controller configured tocontrol the phased array to beam steer the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam to an area on the porous material; synchronize timing ofthe pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam to heat the porousmaterial with a time window in the infrared detector system to detectthe amount of infrared radiation; and control the infrared detectorsystem to detect the amount of infrared radiation in the area on theporous material within the time window when the porous material isheated by the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam.
 24. Themoisture detection system of claim 23, wherein the controller selects anumber of frequencies for the pulse of the electromagnetic radiationbeam based on a desired depth at which the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam penetrates a composite sandwich panel.
 25. The moisturedetection system of claim 24, wherein the controller is configured todetermine the level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel usingthe amount of infrared radiation detected in the area and energy in thepulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam sent into the area on theporous material.
 26. The moisture detection system of claim 23, whereinthe controller is configured to control the infrared detector system todetect an amount of background infrared radiation in the area prior toan electromagnetic radiation system transmitting the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam into the area on the porous material. 27.The moisture detection system of claim 23, wherein the controller isconfigured to generate a thermal image of the amount of infraredradiation for the porous material using energy in the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam and the amount of infrared radiationdetected by the infrared detector system within the time window.
 28. Themoisture detection system of claim 23, wherein the controller isconfigured to generate a map of moisture within the porous material inthe area using a thermal image.
 29. A method for detecting moisture in aporous material, the method comprising: beam steering a pulse of anelectromagnetic radiation beam into an area on the porous material,wherein the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam has a number ofwavelengths that are absorbed by water molecules; synchronizing timingof the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam; and detecting anamount of infrared radiation in the area on the porous material within atime window for an infrared detector system when the area on the porousmaterial is heated by the pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam,wherein the amount of infrared radiation indicates a level of moisturein the porous material.
 30. The method of claim 29 further comprising:selecting a number of frequencies for the pulse of the electromagneticradiation beam based on a desired depth at which the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam penetrates a composite sandwich panel.31. The method of claim 29 further comprising: determining the level ofmoisture in a composite sandwich panel using the amount of infraredradiation detected in the area and energy in the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam sent into the area on the compositesandwich panel.
 32. The method of claim 29 further comprising: detectingan amount of background infrared radiation in the area prior to anelectromagnetic radiation system transmitting the pulse of theelectromagnetic radiation beam into the area on the porous material. 33.The method of claim 29 further comprising: generating a thermal image ofthe amount of infrared radiation for the porous material using energy inthe pulse of the electromagnetic radiation beam and the amount ofinfrared radiation detected by the infrared detector system within thetime window.